Lezyne KTV Drive Pro Pair

Lezyne's KTV Drive Pro Pair are compact and pretty looking front and rear safety lights. The rear is relatively impotent, though – fine for contingencies, or as backing singer to a more powerful unit, but not one I'd want to rely on.

Their CNC machined bodies not only look sharp but are tough and disperse heat better than plastic composites, which is good news in the long run for diodes and circuitry. They also comply with ANSI FL1. Ours were a neutral silver, which also helps hide scratches, but there are three other anodised colours – black, blue or red – to choose from.

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Integral lollipop type plug-ins are convenient for recharging – no couplers to forget – and are well protected from water/dirt ingress by snug-fitting rubberised caps. Just keep these safe while the lights are guzzling from mains or third party devices. Either way, bargain for three hours before the little indicator flicks from red to green.

Resin brackets bolt into the base and attach via the familiar 'ladder strap' bracket – all very intuitive, once they've stretched a little, and remember to angle the front sideways first or you'll struggle to hook the strap over.

Depressing the top-mounted switch for two seconds brings the front light to life in a 30-lumen steady default, which is pretty bright. Fully charged, it'll last for nigh-on 2 hours (well, 1hr 57mins).

A second press unleashes the 70, which is on par with competitor models in terms of output, although we are talking an hour tops, and I was surprised to find the battery life indicator had flicked to red after only 25 minutes. While both deliver a pure arc of light, we are of course talking in the seen-with sense, up to 100m or so.

> Check out our guide to the best front lights and our beam comparison engine here

As usual, four flashing settings steal the show: 30 lumens apiece, all will run close to six hours across the range. I've returned between 5hrs 53mins and 5hrs 57mins in temperatures ranging between 10 and 0°C (modern lithium polymer/li-on cells are relatively unaffected by temperature).

The rear stirs mixed emotions in me. I like the aesthetics, and despite a narrow lens, output is better than I'd expect from 7 lumens, especially in the flashing and pulse modes. Otherwise, there are much better options if you only wanted to use a single rear light. Overall presence is poor compared with most I've tested recently. Riding companions suggested they could spot me from 150-180m, and when used as my sole form of rear lighting, the small surface area left me feeling quite vulnerable at junctions/roundabouts.

Some commentators have reported charging problems, but to date our set has proved very reliable. Run times are favourable and seem faithful to those quoted – 8hrs 23mins and 5hrs 21mins (pulse). Adequate for scoots around town and/or contingencies, or for clutter-phobic audax riders looking for a dynamo companion.

> Check out our guide to the best rear lights here

Bottom line, the KTV Drive Pro Pair isn't bad value at £34, and the front is quite a good little light, but there are much better combos if you only want to run one rear light.

Verdict

Decent front light let down by a so-so rear